"BAR YOCHAI"

This well-known zemer (religious song) was composed by the saintly Rabbi Shimon Ibn Lavi, whose name is formed by the acrostic. After escaping as a child from the Spanish Inquisition, the author arrived in Fez, Morocco, where he remained until 1549. He set out for Eretz Yisrael, but on his way there, he stopped in Tripoli, where he was persuaded to remain as the community's teacher until his death in 1588. He also was an accomplished kabbalist who wrote a commentary on the Zohar called Ketem Paz (“Sockets of Fine Gold”), and his burial place remains sacred to both Jews and gentiles of the region.

The song is a tribute to the “Tanna HaEloki” (“Divinely-Inspired Sage of the Mishnah”) Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. It is sung mainly in Sefardic Jewish communities on Shabbat; but on Lag BaOmer (which is Rabbi Shimon’s yahrtzeit), it is sung by Jewish communities all over the world, Sefardic and Ashkenazic alike. Today, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai is recognized as a universal figure, the very paradigm of the tzaddik, revered by all.

Several parts of the present translation reflect the Hebrew commentary of the twentieth century kabbalist, Rabbi Yeshaya Asher Zelig Margolios, published in “Biur HaShir ‘Bar Yochai.’ ” Our biographical sketch of Rabbi Shimon Ibn Lavi is also based on the research of Rabbi Margolios, published in “Hillulah De-RASHBY.”

Each stanza corresponds to one of the ten sefirot, in ascending order, as we have indicated; however, the composition is laden with kabbalistic allusions, which we have not attempted to explain. The song’s rhyme-scheme has been sacrificed in order to preserve the sense of the lyrics, although the result is at best an approximation of the song’s profound meaning.

“Bar Yochai”

By Rabbi Shimon Ibn Lavi

Introduction and new translation of the song “Bar Yochai” by Dovid Sears

Bar Yochai


Bar Yochai! You were anointed—fortunate are you!—

with oil of gladness, for the sake of your companions.


(Malkhut/Kingship)

Bar Yochai! With oil of sacred anointment

You drew from the holy vessel.

You wore the golden head-plate, the diadem of holiness;

Bound upon your head, your beauty.


Bar Yochai! You were anointed—fortunate are you!—

with oil of gladness, for the sake of your companions.


(Yesod/Foundation)

Bar Yochai! To a goodly dwelling did you retreat

On the day you ran, the day you fled.

In a cave among the cliffs you remained;

There you acquired your brilliance and your splendor.


Bar Yochai! You were anointed—fortunate are you!—

with oil of gladness, for the sake of your companions.


(Netzach/ Eternity or Victory; and Hod/Splendor)

Bar Yochai! Like standing acacia beams in the Tabernacle,

God’s disciples engage in study.

With wondrous light, with fiery light, they burn—

Behold, your teachers, who shall instruct you!


Bar Yochai! You were anointed—fortunate are you!—

with oil of gladness, for the sake of your companions.


(Tiferet/Beauty)

Bar Yochai! To the Field of Apples you ascended

To gather precious things from afar,

Mysteries of Torah like blossoms and flowers.

“Let us make man” was said because of you!


Bar Yochai! You were anointed—fortunate are you!—

with oil of gladness, for the sake of your companions.


(Gevurah/Might)

Bar Yochai! You were girded with strength,

And in the battle of the “Fiery Law,” at the city’s gate,

Your sword you drew from its scabbard,

Wielding it against your enemies.


Bar Yochai! You were anointed—fortunate are you!—

with oil of gladness, for the sake of your companions.


(Chesed/Kindness)

Bar Yochai! The visionary place of Marble Stones

You reached, and came before the Supernal Lion.

Even the orb of the crown set upon the star Arcturus

You beheld—but none can behold you!


Bar Yochai! You were anointed—fortunate are you!—

with oil of gladness, for the sake of your companions.


(Binah/Understanding)

Bar Yochai! In the Holy of Holies—

The “green line” that creates new manifestations—

Seven Sabbaths, the secret of Fifty,

You fastened the bonds of the letter Shin as your bonds!


Bar Yochai! You were anointed—fortunate are you!—

with oil of gladness, for the sake of your companions.


(Chokhmah/Wisdom)

Bar Yochai! The Yud of primordial wisdom

You gazed into its innermost glory;

The Thirty-Two Paths, the exalted point of origin.

You are a cherub anointed, the radiance of your generation!


Bar Yochai! You were anointed—fortunate are you!—

with oil of gladness, for the sake of your companions.


(Keter/Crown)

Bar Yochai! The wondrous light that shines above all

You feared to glimpse, for it is vast.

Divine mystery, "Ayin (Nothingness)" she is called.

Indeed, you declared, “No eye shall see You.”


Bar Yochai! You were anointed—fortunate are you!—

with oil of gladness, for the sake of your companions.


Bar Yochai! Fortunate is she who bore you,

Fortunate is the people that learns from you,

Fortunate are those who can fathom your mystery,

Garbed in the Priestly Breastplate, Your sacred oracle!


Bar Yochai! You were anointed—fortunate are you!—

with oil of gladness, for the sake of your companions.